The Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday that Arkansas state troopers say President Clinton tried to discourage them from speaking out on his alleged extramarital affairs by offering them federal jobs.
The troopers, who were on Clinton's security detail while he was governor, have revived allegations about extramarital affairs.Bruce R. Lindsay, a senior White House official, told the Times "these allegations are ridiculous. Similar charges were made, investigated and responded to during the campaign. There is nothing that dignifies a further response."
Lindsay said the president did call one of the troopers, but "any suggestion that the president offered anyone a job in return for silence is a lie."
Larry G. Patterson, a 26-year veteran state trooper who spent five years on Clinton's security unit, has signed affidavits for the Los Angeles Times to support his charges. The other trooper to speak up is Roger L. Perry, 44, a 16-year veteran of the state police and president of the Arkansas State Police Association. He also served on Clinton's security detail for about four years.
The Times said the troopers provided the names of other women they said they believed had been involved in affairs with Clinton while he was governor. But the newspaper declined to publish their names to protect their privacy.
Meanwhile, first lady Hillary Clinton branded the allegations "trash for cash." In an interview with UPI, Clinton said she and the president were "saddened" by what she called "outrageous" charges at Christmas time.